Ofcom launches consultation on bands above 6GHz

Ofcom has opened consultation on the use of spectrum bands above 6GHz which are expected to be suitable for supporting 5G mobile services.

The UK regulator said the move was necessary to build an
understanding of how these frequencies might be used to serve consumers in the
future.

It is expected that 5G will offer much faster speeds,
estimated at 10 to 50 Gbps compared to existing average 4G download speeds of
15 Mbps.

Frequencies of 6GHz and above are used by various
organisations, from scientific research to satellite broadcasting and weather
monitoring. Ofcom said these bands have the potential to serve very high demand
users, and could support a range of uses such as financial trading,
entertainment, gaming and holographic projections.

“We want the UK to be a leader in the next-generation of
wireless communications. Working with industry, we want to lay the foundations
for the UK’s next generation of wireless communications, said Steve Unger,
Ofcom’s acting chief executive.

“5G must deliver a further step change in the capacity of
wireless networks, over and above that currently being delivered by 4G. No
network has infinite capacity, but we need to move closer to the ideal of there
always being sufficient capacity to meet consumers’ needs.”

The consultation period will end February 27. The timeframe
for the launch of 5G services is unclear, said Ofcom, although commercial
applications could emerge by 2020.